Jason was very knowledgeable and provided context for interesting sites and food stops. Loved learning about and sampling local dishes from family run local businesses and was very understanding and flexible when I got delayed in meeting up with him. It was very worthwhile to spend my only free time touring with Jason!Fun walking food tasting tour!
Disappointing Start to Bologna's Culinary Scene – Feeling it was definitely not worth the money
We recently joined a Foodies Tour in Bologna with high expectations. As accomplished home chefs with a deep appreciation for international cuisine and fine wines, we had shared our background with the tour guide in advance, hoping for an elevated, curated experience. We imagined being led by a knowledgeable, well-presented guide who would introduce us to the true culinary heart of Bologna.
Unfortunately, the reality fell short. Our guide arrived casually dressed, lacking the professionalism or enthusiasm we had anticipated. While first impressions aren't everything, they do set the tone—and this one was disappointing.
Our initial stop offered promise: a tasting of local balsamic vinegars of various ages and complexity. This was genuinely interesting and informative. However, the tour quickly lost momentum. We were shown shuttered storefronts—apparently historic, multi-generational family businesses—that were closed due to the time and day of our tour. It was baffling that the tour would be scheduled at a time when key locations weren’t even accessible.
After a brief history of the Piazza Maggiore and the twin towers, we were led into a side alley and given a meager snack: a small ham and cheese toastie, halved for sharing. Next came a street food vendor serving lasagne—presented on a single paper plate with four forks for the group. This trend continued with a fast-food-style pasta place offering dry, claggy tortellini—again served communally.
The final stop was perhaps the most disappointing: a food court, where we were left to choose from a selection of subpar local wines. The samples were of poor quality, and the guide made no effort to assist or educate us. By this point, the experience felt more like a poorly organized food crawl than a gourmet tour.
The tour left us disillusioned—not just with the experience, but with Bologna itself. Fortunately, we decided to explore the city independently. Away from the tourist trail, we discovered charming eateries and hidden gems that truly showcased the region’s rich culinary heritage. With a little effort and curiosity, Bologna revealed itself to be a city full of delectable food, wonderful wines, and warm hospitality.
In the end, while the Foodies Tour was a letdown, our own exploration brought us lasting memories and a newfound appreciation for this beautiful city. Our advice: skip the organized tour, and instead, let your palate—and your curiosity—lead the way.
Definitely not worth the money
We thoroughly enjoyed our 3 hrs with Jason. He packed a lot into the short time we had with him. Starting in the Piazza Maggiore, which is surrounded by beautiful historic buildings, he gave us a fantastic overview of the history and culture of Bologna over the following 3 hrs. We visited the Basilica of St Petronius, the “unfinished church” and the collection of historic, and ancient churches that make up St Stephen’s, which were fascinating. Additionally we walked through the market/foodie area, which had all manner of specialist providers, bars and restaurants. Jason’s tour gave us a real taste of Bologna, which we could expand upon over the remainder of our stay. He also followed up the tour with a lovely message containing additional information, including restaurant recommendations in Bologna, which was appreciated . Jason’s enthusiasm for his city, and its history and culture was palpable, and we would highly recommend doing this tour with Jason. Fabulous introduction to Bologna
Jason is passionate about Bologna and knows a lot about the city. It was a great introduction to Bologna, with facts about the culture, history, food. My 15 years old was also interested the whole time, but my 11 years old found it too long and not enough adapted to his age and interest.A great overview of Bologna!
Jason was great. very knowledgable on time kept in touch with us prior and gave a great recommendation list for after the tour
Highly recommend Great experience
Jason was an excellent guide. He brought so much interesting information to the tour. We were a group aged 13-48, and we all had an incredible time on the tour. Highly recommend. You'll gain much insight into the sites you are seeing. Excellent recommendations for food as well! Tour in Bologna
We had an incredible experience with Jason in Bologna! The food tour was a true highlight of our trip—Jason was knowledgeable, passionate and friendly. We got to taste a variety of authentic local dishes, from rich pastas to delicious cured meats, all while learning about the city’s rich culinary history. The pacing was perfect, allowing us to savor each stop without feeling rushed. It felt like a personal journey through Bologna’s food scene, and we left with a deeper appreciation for the local culture and flavors. Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Bologna!Great intro to beautiful Bologna
Jason was a pleasure and full of great information. My two adult sons and teenager all enjoyed his tour. It was a holiday so lots of places were closed and yet Jason figured it all out for us. Great Tour
We’ve done several tours through WithLocals both as a couple and with friends. Jason’s kickstarter tour of Bologna is the best we’ve done. It was exactly what you would expect of a kickstarter tour. Jason’s deep knowledge of the city and its history gave us the insight to know exactly where we wanted to spend our limited time in Bologna. He gave us the story behind each of the city’s landmarks and great suggestions on what to do, see, and eat while in Bologna. Don’t miss this tour!Don’t Miss Jason’s Tour
Jason was a joy to go on a walking tour with. He was incredibly informative and very knowledgeable as well. It was a very well worth it 2 hour tour!! Do not miss this opportunity.Great Day in Bologna